Abstract: The objective of this study was to gain a sense of who, what, where, and why individuals in the African American community do or do not volunteer.

African American Community Volunteer Strategies

This report summarizes the findings of surveys and focus groups conducted in an effort to learn more about volunteerism among African Americans in the Greater Austin area. This project was conducted as part of the Culture Connections initiative, under the auspices of Hands on Central Texas, a program of United Way Capital Area. This initial study is an important first step to address a topic that has not previously been researched in the Austin area. While it provides baseline data and very relevant information, it is does not propose to be the definitive work on volunteerism among African Americans in Austin.

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Barriers

• Lack of strong relationships with the community
• Not having African Americans on the recruitment team
  Issue that agency addresses is considered taboo in the African American community.
• Having time and staff to develop and maintain relationships over
  time
• Cultural gap, lack of knowing what would engage African Americans to volunteer
• Volunteer location
• Lack of diversity among staff

Recommendations

• Be committed for the long haul
• Express the desire to have a diverse volunteer pool
• Foster relationships with African American organizations/groups with similar areas of focus
• Partner with African American organizations/groups/churches who already have this knowledge and are doing this work
• Be intentional about efforts to attract African American volunteers
• Convey how your mission is relevant to addressing issues of concern in the African American community
• Share success stories and challenges regarding efforts to attract and retain African American volunteers

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